Sports ramblings…with a Yankees bias!

Chavez Ravine to the Bronx!…

Chavez Ravine to the Bronx reminds me of Tommy John for some reason…

Welcome to New York, Hiro! It was a terrific debut at Yankee Stadium for #2 starter Hiroki Kuroda, as he shut down the Los Angeles Angels, 5-0 in the team’s 2012 home opener. The Angels, historically, play the Yankees very well in New York, so Kuroda’s performance was significantly more impressive than if it had come against a team like the Minnesota Twins. Obviously, the former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher is not going to pitch like this every time out, but I do feel more confident in the #2 slot in the rotation than I did when it was held by A.J. Burnett.

The game also marked the 630th home run by Alex Rodriguez, which tied him with his former teammate, Ken Griffey, Jr. The script couldn’t have been written any better for a marvelous day in New York.

A proud day for a Yankees legend and his father…

It was also a very classy move to have Jorge Posada throw out the first pitch, which is the good karma that set the stage for the wonderful day. I am sure that it was a thrill for Jorge to throw the pitch to his father. I lost my own father as a child, but who doesn’t love the scene in Field of Dreams when Kevin Costner plays catch with his father. It has to be an absolute thrill, and I am sure that it was for Jorge as his father was able to take the field at Yankee Stadium. I had heard the Yankees wanted Mariano Rivera to catch Posada’s throw, but Jorge wanted his dad. You certainly cannot find fault in his decision. Mariano’s day will come. Both players have reservations for Monument Park.

DL-R-Us…

I was sorry to see the injury suffered by Jacoby Ellsbury of the Boston Red Sox. The word is that he’ll be out 6-8 weeks with the shoulder injury he suffered during Boston’s home opening day win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Boston may be a fierce rival, but I take so satisfaction in seeing the loss of one of their better players. To be the best, you have to beat the best which means that I want Boston and Tampa to have their best players on the field. The Red Sox probably have more dollars committed to guys on the DL than the team payrolls for a number of teams in major league baseball, with the likes of John Lackey, Dice-K, Carl Crawford, Andrew Bailey, and Bobby Jenks currently disabled.

Hopefully, Ellsbury will make a smooth and speedy recovery, and will be back on the field soon.

The team name on Damon’s jersey should come with Velcro…

I know it’s a paycheck but it seems like Johnny Damon will have played with every team in the AL by the time he’s finished. He’s been with so many teams, I honestly can’t say what team he should be remembered for. Maybe Boston because of the Caveman look and helping them secure their first World Series win in a century, maybe the Royals because that’s where he got his start, who knows. I can’t look at him and say that ‘he’s forever a Yankee’ because his time was too brief and now it’s too watered down with other teams. Damon as a Cleveland Indian just seems strange. If Cleveland is out by July, I am sure that Damon will be moved to a contender, adding yet another team. Or Damon doesn’t get enough at-bats and opts out of his Cleveland deal, and heads elsewhere. Regardless, he just seems like a rent-a-player at this point. Maybe MLB should incorporate 10-day contracts like the NBA…

Purple People are better…

I am looking forward to the upcoming NFL Draft. The Minnesota Vikings, with the third selection and the top two picks already pre-determined, have some tough choices to make. I’ve been in favor of OT Matt Kalil, but an argument can be made for WR Justin Blackmon or CB Morris Claiborne. I thought it was interesting when Colts owner Jim Irsay made comments that teams interested in QB Ryan Tannehill should talk to the Vikings about their #3 pick. I have not followed the story closely enough to understand his motivation, but I’d prefer to see the Vikings hang on to the pick (despite the opportunity to add more picks) given the strength of the talent available. I am sure the Miami Dolphins are drooling over the idea of nabbing Tannehill so I guess it would depend upon how desperate they are to make a move. Unless the Vikings are overwhelmed, I want to see Kalil, Blackmon or Claiborne wearing purple at a mini-camp coming soon.

Actually, it’s hard to believe that we are already starting to talk about football again. It seems like the season just ended. But then again, it’s hard to believe that the 2012 MLB Season is well underway. It should be a fun sports year for all…

1 Comment

I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone who isn’t more confident in Kuroda than they were in Burnett. Then again, the Yankees probably won a World Series that they would have not otherwise, because of Burnett.
-Mateo

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